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Gathering Has More Payoffs Than Solo

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Aren’t birds fascinating this time of year? Every August, barn swallows gather on our electric wires and chatter, chatter, chatter. People in the know call this staging, but I like to think of it as networking for the migration ahead. We’ll soon start to see turkey vultures, sandhill cranes and Canada geese staging by the thousands in nearby woods and wetlands.

Birds don’t fly solo. They fly farther and more efficiently when they gather.

Adobe Stock

Entrepreneurs Need to Gather As Well

This past weekend a board on which I serve gathered for its annual retreat. We had the option of attending in person or via Zoom. I chose Zoom. I claimed it was because of my schedule, but if I’m honest it’s also because more and more I find myself reclusing.  

In bird talk, COVID, technology and working from home have enabled us to fly solo. But is this always the best? Are we missing opportunities to fly farther and more efficiently? Zoom worked well enough for my board retreat, but it didn’t pick up the in-person discussions. It didn’t cover gathering for dinner and social hours. It didn’t allow me to fully get to know my peers and interact with them. 

Opportunities for Gathering

As summer comes to an end, we find ourselves hunkering down for winter. Hunkering is fine, reclusing is not. Here are three easy ways to gather:

  1. Conferences, perfect for networking
    Depending on your industry, August-October and January-March are considered conference seasons. Now is a good time to get online and find one that relates to you. 
  2. On-site meetings, how quaint and old-fashioned
    I’m wrapping up a web design project and will soon tutor my customer for managing the site. We could do this via Zoom but meeting in person will be more efficient and productive. 
  3. Coffee, nothing more personal
    When is the last time you’ve simply gone out for a chat with a business peer or customer? What’s new with them? How have the past two years affected their life? 
LET’s WORK TOGETHER
Cover by Tracy Harris, Cricket Design

What I’m Working On This Month

August was a big wrap-up of the Farm/Art DTour event guide by Wormfarm Institute. Want a preview? Check it out page by page!

A big kudos to Tracy Harris of Cricket Design Works for the stunningly gorgeous front and back covers. If this doesn’t bring you to your senses, gee, I don’t know what will. I love collaborating with talented professionals!

What I’m Tuned In To This Month

  1. Please, not our TP. Sadly yes, PFAS have even been detected in our toilet paper.
  2. Selling in festivals or markets is an art and a science. Here, here and here is a 3-part series of good advice.
  3. Intimate portraits through 60 years of marriage, photography and artistic devotion. 
  4. Should you do a newsletter? Yes, newsletters and social media marketing have long-range returns, but here’s why they pay. P.S. I can help you with both!

Are You Ready For Your Turn to Run?

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Did you watch the Kentucky Derby earlier this month? We happened to be passing through Louisville and everything—I mean EVERYTHING—was derby. And after Rich Strike’s exciting win, well, who couldn’t fall in love with that gorgeous horse?

We’re all suckers for an underdog. At 80-1 odds, neither Rich Strike nor his team were in the high rolling circuit. In fact, they were in the derby lineup only because another horse was pulled at the last minute. But if there’s one thing Rich Strike’s team was, it was ready. When the opportunity arose, they ran for the roses. That’s what made Rich Strike everyone’s darling.

How Ready is Your Product?

In this Forbes article Rich Strike’s trainer Eric Reed said, “We’re not supposed to be here, but I knew this horse loved the track. He’d been training so good all year.” Reed knew his horse and had him ready to run when put to the test. 

How well do you know your product? Is it ready to go when you have an unexpected “run for the roses?”

How Ready is Your Messaging?

Jockey Sonny Leon said, “I knew I had a horse for this race.” Owner Ric Dawson said, “We never enter a race we don’t think we can win.”

Not only was Rich Strike set to run, but his team was ready with their PR messaging. How ready are you to talk about your product? Can you run with impressive promos on the spur of the moment? (I know, I know, enough of the horsey puns.)

How Ready is Your Media?

Mercury Equine Center, the training facility owned by Reed, makes a bold online presence. Its website is supurb and the imagery is stunning.

Is your website up to date? Do you have quality photos ready for brochures, press releases and other promotions? Can people find the right information when they want to learn more about you?

Make sure you’re ready when it’s your turn to run!

LET’s WORK TOGETHER

What I’m Working On This Month

I’m wrapping up a new poster! It’s been professionally proofed, tweaked and readied for press. Watch for hooplas in June!

In the meantime, check out my Ice Age Trail poster for more Wisconsin highlights and make plans for your summer outdoors.

What I’m Tuned In To This Month

  1. Networking for Introverts: Four great ideas for when you need to act like an extrovert.
  2. Cool App: Everyone needs a household inventory for insurance purposes. This makes it fun and easy.
  3. Shaved Asparagus Pizza: It’s asparagus season and I love this recipe (actually I love all her recipes)!
  4. May is Small Business Month: We’re half way through the month but this site is a great resource all year long.

Information Desk: How Does Yours Compare to Your Customer’s?

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I’m sometimes surprised for what people are willing to pay me. Things that are so obvious to me, I can’t imagine people not knowing them for themselves. But then I remember what I pay others for, like my tax accountant or copyright attorney.

The fact of the matter is…

We are all experts in our own field but we aren’t in anyone else’s. If we think of our expertise as an “information desk,” I sit at mine because it’s what I do, what I study, what I practice. All day, every day. Ditto, for you and your information desk.

(By the way, this topic and desk metaphor were developed from the OG+S newsletter—a good read from great attorneys. Also a perfect followup to my March newsletter.)

Your information desk…

  • What field are you an expert in?
  • What do you know that others do not?
  • What questions do you most commonly answer?
  • What problem does your product or service solve?

…compared to your customer’s

  • What does your ideal customer NOT know?
  • What questions are they asking?
  • What are their pain points?
  • What help do they need?

Now ask yourself, “how can I communicate to my customers that I’m here and ready to help?”

LET’s WORK TOGETHER

What I’m Working On This Month

We wish COVID was over, but sadly it’s not. I’m honored to join with the Hispanic Health Resource Center in educating people on COVID safety and the medical care available. 

What I’m Tuned In To This Month

Collaborate With Your Competitors? You Bet!

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My husband and I just returned from our annual Octoberfest Brewery Tour. This year we took our sipping and scenery to Charleston, SC, and it was glorious! 

Businesses Working Together

In one of Charleston’s lesser known but rising neighborhoods is the Charleston Brewery District. It’s a community of ten breweries “sharing their love of beer with the Lowcountry,” as they like to boast. It’s also an example of savvy entrepreneurs working together to create a tourist hotspot, benefitting both their businesses and their community.

Used with permission from the Charleston Brewery District

Creative Collaboration

Tarah Gee, president of the Charleston Brewery District, says there are many advantages to working together. Two innovative ideas rocking it for both the breweries and the community: 

  • Free Shuttle
    The ten breweries have chipped in to provide a free shuttle every Saturday. Beer enthusiasts ride from brewery to brewery, sampling and enjoying.
     
  • Keep Charleston Beautiful
    Once a month, the breweries take turns hosting a neighborhood clean-up. The breweries provide the bags and volunteers provide the umph. Afterward, everyone gathers for a beer. 

What about you? How can you and your competitors work together? 

LET’s WORK TOGETHER

What I’m Working On This Month

Join me November 4 as I present an inspiring workshop for the Women Food & Ag Network. Here’s the scoop!

What I’m Tuned In To This Month

  1. It takes a team, even in the craft beer industry.
  2. October was National Women’s Small Business Month: Two women forge their way and help others to do the same.
  3. What makes Wisconsin special: One brewery’s pandemic business model.
  4. Are predicted shortages stressing your gift plans? Give an Ice Age Trail poster.

Pros and Cons of Joining Your Chamber of Commerce

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Have you ever thought about joining your local chamber of commerce? This topic came up recently in several entrepreneur discussions. The comments were varied and interesting.

All About Networking

A chamber of commerce is like a basket of businesses. It’s designed to connect local owners so they can collaborate with and advocate for one another. A well-organized, active organization provides education, marketing assistance and overall support. But like any such network, what you put into it determines what you get out of it. 

Based on the comments I mentioned above, I’ve compiled a list of pros and cons for joining your local chamber of commerce. 

Pros

  1. Builds Relationships: Getting to know and regularly hobnobbing with fellow business owners is invaluable. 
     
  2. Establishes Credibility: Most chambers maintain membership directories, online listings, and tourist guides. Such exposure is a great marketing tool and brings credibility to your business.
     
  3. Expands Resources: Chambers work directly with government and educational organizations. They have access to business loans, legislation, discounts, advertising, and so much more than one might have on their own.
     
  4. Being Bigger Than Yourself: Chamber membership is an opportunity to be part of and contribute to your community. It’s a chance to advocate for what’s right for everyone, not just a few. 

Cons

  1. Requires Membership Fees and Time Commitments: Upfront costs and time commitment are cause for consideration, especially for new or small businesses.
     
  2. Not Relevant to Everyone: If your business is not brick and mortar or your target market isn’t local, a chamber membership may not feel useful. Also, if networking isn’t your personal bag, you may not enjoy the social aspect of chamber meetings. 
     
  3. Focus is We, Not Me: An ethical chamber of commerce works for the good of all its members and the community (this is actually a good thing). If you prefer a self-focus for your business, this may not be the organization for you. 
     
  4. No Quick ROI: Just like any networking, the return on what you put into the chamber will need time to develop and grow. Patience will be key.
LET’s WORK TOGETHER

What I’m Working On This Month

Earlier this month I was proud to present my Ice Age Trail poster, a segment-by-segment checklist of hiking Wisconsin’s 1200-mile geologic wonder. I was amazed and humbled by the positive response. 

Stepping into the eCommerce world requires me to step out of my comfort zone (which for the most part is quietly behind the computer). Sales taxes, shipping labels, and trips to the post office are now daily activities. I’m learning so much!

Want a poster? Shop here!

What I’m Tuned In To This Month

  1. The Power of Planting Seeds: Community gardens have immensely broadened the availability for healthy food. We’re well into the gardening season, but acting now enables next year’s possibilities.
     
  2. The Lidice Massacre: Please, let’s not compare COVID vaccines or wearing masks to the Holocaust. This story shows humanity at its worst.
     
  3. Bacon-Wrapped Kielbasa: Fourth of July is coming! We made these recently and they were delish. We’re making them again next weekend!
     
  4. Part 1 and Part 2: Do we shake hands? Can we hug? Gathering post COVID leaves so many questions. Priya Parker is excellent.